Los Angeles

Sparks

Hamby tied a team-high in points in Thursday’s loss to the Aces. She shot under 50.0 percent from the field, but still tallied at least 15 points for the 34th time this season. The veteran forward made contributions in other areas as well — notably, she added a trio of steals, which led the team, while also serving as a reliable facilitator. While the Sparks fell short of reaching the playoffs, Hamby had another very strong individual season. She’ll likely be in line for another impactful fantasy basketball season in 2026.

Plum’s debut season with the Sparks came to a close on Thursday, finishing with a team-high in assists against the Aces and as one of four players to score in double figures. She flashed the playmaking skills in Thursday’s contest that she displayed throughout the season en route to logging a career-high in assists per game. Additionally, her pair of steals against the Aces contributed to her career-high in steals for any season. While the Sparks came up short of the postseason, Plum enjoyed one of the best seasons of her career and was a productive player in fantasy basketball leagues.

Barker efficiently shot her way to a career-high in points in the Sparks’ season finale against the Aces. Her total on Thursday was more than her combined amount over the previous 18 games. She logged a productive nine-point third quarter to help get her new high in points before finishing with two more in the final frame. With the Sparks falling short of a postseason appearance, the rookie guard will go into the offseason having played one of the best games of her young WNBA career.

Brink took an elbow to the nose midway through the second quarter of Thursday’s game when trying to contest the Aces’ NaLyssa Smith’s layup attempt. The elbow left Brink bloody and unable to resume play. She was subbed out at the next deadball and assisted to the locker room by team staff. Azurá Stevens replaced her in the lineup before Brink was ultimately ruled out. Given that the Sparks didn’t qualify for the 2025 postseason, the nose injury will officially end Brink’s sophomore campaign.

With Rickea Jackson (leg) and Julie Allemand (ankle) out on Thursday, Burrell and Barker will start in their place for the Sparks in their season finale. The Sparks were eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday, so Jackson’s and Allemand’s inactive statuses shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise as they battle injuries. With one game left in the season, the Sparks will have a chance to finish with a .500 record if they can defeat the Aces on Thursday.

Jackson and Allemand are the only two players on the Sparks’ injury report ahead of their season finale on Thursday. Both players participated in the Sparks’ most recent game against the Mercury on Tuesday. Yet, with Los Angeles now officially eliminated from playoff contention, the statuses of the two players ahead of their matchup with the Aces will be worth monitoring. Should either player miss Thursday’s game, Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo and Sarah Ashlee Barker would all be candidates to fill in as starters.

Burrell had the most productive game of her career on Tuesday, recording her first 20-point game as a pro. The Sparks wing chipped in with a complete stat line off the bench and had reached double figures in scoring in consecutive games for the second time this season. Unfortunately, Burrell appeared to suffer an arm injury late in Tuesday’s win, which may cast some doubt on her availability for Thursday’s season finale against Las Vegas. Due to Seattle beating Golden State there won’t be anything on the line for the Sparks, who were eliminated from playoff contention.

Initially questionable for Tuesday’s game with a left foot injury, Plum gutted out 33 minutes with the Sparks’ postseason hopes on the line. Seattle’s win over Golden State eliminated the Sparks from postseason contention, but overall, this was an encouraging first season for Plum in Los Angeles. Compared to last season, she recorded higher averages in points, rebounds, assists and steals while earning a fourth straight trip to the All-Star Game. However, like three-time All-Star Dearica Hamby, Plum will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. That will make for a crucial offseason for a franchise that has not reached the playoffs since 2020.

While Sparks did what they could to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, Seattle’s win over Golden State means Los Angeles’ postseason drought will continue for another year. Hamby was excellent against the Mercury and has scored 21 points or more in five of her last six appearances. After finishing second in Most Improved Player award voting last season, Hamby increased her scoring average by more than a point per game while shooting nearly 58 percent from the field in 2025. She’ll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and should command significant interest on the open market.

Hamby only needs 25 minutes of game action to stuff the stat sheet and provide a great impact on Sunday. The veteran forward shot inefficiently but tallied a three-pointer to finish as one of the Sparks’ top two scorers on the afternoon. She also finished only a couple of rebounds shy of a double-double, while tying a team-high in assists. With the insignificant amount of minutes played against Dallas, Hamby should be rested enough and ready to produce against the Mercury on Tuesday as the Sparks continue to battle for the eighth and final playoff spot.